"This is my first book by this author. His books are always so highly recommended and I never get around to them so grabbed this one right away. It took me some time to get used to the writing style and I nearly put it down to read something else in case it was just my state of mind. I figured, one more chapter and soon I was completely captivated by the story, by the characters, by the sorrow, by the laughter, by the absolute beauty of the authors words and how they felt raining down on me. I have so many passages that cried out to be highlighted, hitting home so much, so unexpectedly. The story of friendships that seem to stand the test of time, even if they don't last forever. Such a beautiful story that needs to be savored and loved. "How lucky were they?" Even when it felt like more pain than any young kid should ever have to deal with. How lucky they were."